What is a color coated sheet?

In modern architecture and industry, color coated sheets are ideal for many projects due to their rich colors, durability, and versatile functionality. It not only adds aesthetic appeal to buildings, but also provides excellent protective properties. In this article, we will focus on the definition, characteristics, application areas, and purchasing suggestions of color coated plate to help you understand this material more closely.

1. What is color coated sheet?

Color coated sheet, known as color coated steel, is a composite material with multi-layer organic coating on the surface of metal substrate (such as galvanized sheet, aluminum plate, etc.). Its structure usually includes multi-layer treatment such as substrate, chemical conversion layer, primer, topcoat and backcoat, etc. Each layer assumes a different function, such as anti-corrosion, weather resistance, decoration, and so on.

The color and texture of color  coated sheets can be customized according to the demand, and common surface effects include solid color, metallic texture, imitation wood grain, imitation stone grain, etc., taking into account the functionality and decorative, to meet the aesthetic and practical needs of different scenes.

2. Production process of color coated sheet

(1) Pre-treatment: the substrate is cleaned to remove surface impurities, rust and oil; chemical coating is applied to the clean substrate surface to increase the adhesion between the substrate and the coating to ensure that the subsequent coating can be firmly attached to the surface of the steel plate.

(2) Coating: At present, the most widely used coating method is roller coating, in which the paint in the paint tray is brought to the coating roller by means of a material-carrying roller, and a wet film of a certain thickness is formed on the coating roller first, and then this wet film is transferred to the surface of the substrate in the coating method.

The coating thickness is controlled within a certain range by adjusting the roller gap, pressure and speed of the roller. With roller coating, the coating is very uniform.

(3) Curing and baking: The coating is transformed from a liquid state to a solid state through the chemical condensation, polymerization, cross-linking and other reactions of the main film-forming substance and the auxiliary film-forming substance and curing agent at a certain temperature and under other conditions. Curing not only make the coating firmly and steel plate bonded together, but also make it has certain mechanical and physical properties.

(4) Subsequent processing: embossing, printing, laminating and other processing methods can be carried out to enhance the decorative and durability; some products will also be waxed or added protective film to avoid scratches during transportation and installation.

3. Characteristics of color coated sheet

The wide application of color coated sheet is due to its unique performance advantages, mainly including the following aspects:

(1) Strong weather resistance

The coating on the surface of color coated sheet has been specially treated to resist the erosion of the natural environment such as ultraviolet rays, acidic rain, salt spray, etc., and it is not easy for the long-term use of color fading or chalking.

(2) Anti-corrosion and anti-rust

The metal substrate is double-protected by plating or coating, which can effectively isolate the air and moisture, reduce the risk of rusting and prolong the service life.

(3) Light weight and high strength

Compared with traditional building materials, color  coated sheets are lighter in weight but higher in strength, which makes them easy to transport and install, and at the same time, they can withstand certain wind pressure and impact.

(4) Decorative

Rich color and texture choices make the color coated sheet can be adapted to different design styles, from simple and modern to retro-industrial style can be matched.

(5) Green environmental protection

color coated sheet mostly adopts environmentally friendly coatings, low pollution emission in the production process, and at the same time, it has good reflective properties that can reduce the heat absorption of the building, which is in line with the trend of energy saving and environmental protection.

4.Main application fields of color coated sheet

The use of color coated sheet is very wide, covering construction, home appliances, transportation and other industries, the following are a few typical application scenes:

(1) Application of color coated sheet in the external wall of the building

The color coated sheet in the external wall of the building is the most widely used. Color coated sheet exterior wall can be matched with different colors to improve the aesthetics and visual effect of the building, so that the building “live” up. Moreover, because the color coated sheet has the characteristics of fireproof, corrosion resistance, etc., it makes the building have better safety performance, and also can improve the life of the building.

(2) Application of color coated sheet in roofing

The application of color coated sheet in roofing is also very extensive. Color coated sheet roof has the characteristics of waterproof, corrosion resistance, wind resistance, etc., which can effectively protect the internal facilities of the building and improve the living quality and comfort level. In addition, color coated sheet roofing also has heat insulation, sound insulation, energy saving and other functions, greatly reducing the energy consumption of the building.

(3) The application of color coated sheet in interior decoration

The application of color coated sheet in interior decoration is also more and more. Color coated sheet can be made into plates, ceilings, suspended ceilings, curtain walls, partitions, cabinets and other furniture and decorative materials. Color coated sheet has the characteristics of waterproof, moisture-proof, fireproof, etc., which can effectively prevent indoor humidity and fire and other safety problems, and also can make the interior more beautiful and fashionable.

(4) The application of color coated sheet in the manufacture of home appliances

The shells of some home appliances are made of color coated sheet, such as refrigerators and washing machines, which can not only enhance the appearance of the products, but also strengthen the durability.

(5) Application of color coated sheet in transportation

The shells of transportation equipment such as carriages and containers sometimes use color coated sheet to reduce weight and improve corrosion resistance.

5. How to choose the right color coated sheet?

When purchasing color coated sheets, the following points can be used for reference:

(1) Substrate material

Common substrates include galvanized sheets, aluminum zinc coated plates, aluminum alloy sheets, etc. The corrosion resistance and strength of different materials vary, so they should be selected according to the usage environment.

(2) Coating type

The type of coating affects the weather resistance and service life of color  coated sheets, such as polyester coating (PE), which is lower in cost and suitable for general environments, and fluorocarbon coating (PVDF), which is better in weather resistance and suitable for long-term outdoor use.

(3) Color and texture

Choose suitable color and surface effect according to the design requirements, and pay attention to the color changes that may be caused by long-term exposure to sunlight.

(4) Thickness and specification

Thickness of color coated sheet affects its strength and load-bearing capacity, and should be selected according to actual load requirements. The size and specification should also match the construction demand to avoid waste.

(5) Environmental performance

Priority should be given to the color coated sheet that meets the environmental protection standard to reduce the impact on the environment and ensure that there is no odor or release of harmful substances when used indoors.

6. Maintenance and upkeep of color coated sheetes

Although color  coated sheets have strong durability, proper maintenance can further extend their service life:

-Regular cleaning: Wipe the surface with water or neutral cleaner, avoid using strong acid and alkali cleaner to avoid damaging the coating.

-Check for damage: If scratches or localized rust are found, they should be repaired in time to prevent the problem from expanding.

-Avoid impact of hard objects: In the process of installation and use, try to avoid sharp objects scratching the surface.

As a new type of material integrating decorative, protective and economic properties, color coated plate has become an indispensable material in modern construction and industry. In the future, with the increase of green energy saving and personalized demand, color coated sheet will usher in more innovations and breakthroughs in the direction of environmentally friendly coatings, functional products, intelligent manufacturing and so on. We hope that through the introduction of this article, you can have a deeper understanding of color coated plate, and make a more reasonable choice in the actual application.